By Anan Geolengs
The Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, announced that the Federal Government is repositioning the Federal Fire Service (FFS) from a traditional firefighting body into a comprehensive emergency rescue agency.
Tunji-Ojo made this disclosure in Abuja during the opening ceremony and stakeholders’ conference of the 2026 National Fire Safety Week, themed “Building a Fire-Resilient Nigeria: One Community at a Time.”
The minister explained that the mandate of the FFS is expanding beyond fire suppression to encompass emergency medical services, disaster response, hazardous materials management, and specialized search and rescue operations during natural disasters such as floods and earthquakes.
To provide legal backing for this operational shift, Tunji-Ojo revealed that a new Federal Fire and Rescue Service Bill will be laid before the National Assembly to replace the outdated Fire Service Act of 1963.
“What the government of President Bola Tinubu is bringing on board is the Federal Fire and Rescue Service.
“For the first time in 63 years, this administration took the bull by the horns. As I speak to you, we have finished defending it, and it should be laid this week at the National Assembly,” Tunji-Ojo said.
According to him, key operational upgrades, policy changes, and capacity developments include : “Modernizing national fire codes to deploy fire marshals across districts, wards, and local communities, alongside integrating rescue techniques into school curricula.
“Recruitment of 5,000 additional FFS personnel, increasing the number of Deputy Controllers-General from one to three, and expanding Assistant Controllers-General commands from 6 to 18.
“Acquisition of over 10 new fire trucks, 450 drums of chemical foam, 2,000 fire tunics, and 300 breathing apparatuses.
“Ongoing construction of a 23-hectare Fire Academy designed to accommodate over 3,000 trainees, expected to be completed by December to reduce foreign training costs for multinational companies.
“Clearance of a backlog of 57,000 paramilitary promotions, implementation of hazard allowances, and approval of life pensions for retired Controllers-General and Deputy Controllers-General.
Also speaking at the event, the Controller-General of the Federal Fire Service, Olumode Adeyemi, noted that National Fire Safety Week serves as a critical public education initiative.
As part of this year’s activities, the service officially unveiled safety booklets published in indigenous languages alongside the launch of the 2026 event logo.
Adeyemi highlighted ongoing strategic partnerships with the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), and private organizations to build mini fire outposts across all 774 local government areas.
He also commended community groups and philanthropists in Offa, Bonny, Oyo, and Idanre for constructing and donating fire stations directly to the service.
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